In 2018, the U.S. State Department placed Haniyeh on its Specially Designated Global Terrorists list, which triggers economic sanctions. “Haniyeh has close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians,” it said at the time. “He has reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.”
He was named in arrest warrants put out by the International Criminal Court in May, along with Sinwar and Deif, over responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, torture and taking hostages, during and since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. (Warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were also issued.)
